Rather than worrying about whether the Wanganui District Council can afford to spend up to $65,000 to apply for $8.5 million to extend the Sarjeant Gallery, perhaps the more pertinent question is whether it can afford not to.
Monday's decision by the council to apply for the $8.5 million ingovernment funding, incurring a $65,000 cost, will raise some eyebrows.
Now, more than ever, politicians are scrutinised regarding their spending decisions, by the public and the media.
Yet it's hard to argue that, in this case, a $65,000 investment is anything less than money well spent.
The money will go towards the fee of Jenni Giblin, director of professional fundraisers the Giblin Group, who has a history of successfully securing funding from the government's Regional Museums Fund.
Her fee is reportedly $130,000, with up to $65,000 coming from the council and the balance coming from the Sarjeant Gallery Trust. It seems a lot of money.
But the Sarjeant Gallery is one of the jewels in Wanganui's crown; a superb facility which sets the city apart from larger centres.
In these days of centralisation and population drift, all practical steps must be taken to maintain and make the most of what has become a prime cultural attraction.
There's no doubt the Sarjeant is overdue for an upgrade.
The planned gallery extension is expected to cost $19.5 million. The sum is made up of $11.5 million for extensions, $5.7 million for earthquake strengthening, $1.8 million for exterior repairs and $500,000 for climate control.
Even putting aside the necessity to preserve the Sarjeant for its cultural significance, the Christchurch earthquakes have served to emphasise the need for our buildings to be able to withstand a significant shake.
There is, of course, no guarantee of success when it comes to securing money from the Regional Museums Fund. But it is much better for council to give itself the best chance possible, even in the knowledge that the outcome may not be what it wants.
It's certainly a better option than doing nothing at all.
